Rapturous applause and faces full of tears have been a common sight in the fully-packed auditoriums of American universities whenever the movie “Don’t Burn” has been screened.

The film was based on the best-selling book “Dang Thuy Tram’s diary” which was translated into English as “Last night I dreamed of peace”. Ever since 2007 when the book was published in the US, the heroic life of military doctor Dang Thuy Tram and her diary have become extremely popular in the US.

The film has been shown in several major US universities such as the Brown and Wesleyan Universities since early November, attracting not only overseas Vietnamese and Vietnamese citizens working in the US but also American lecturers and students.

Matt Johnson, who is conducting research at Yale University, said the movie has helped many young Americans like him to feel the pains of war.

Many expressed their admiration at images of northern soldiers, saying they were very lively and just the same as anyone else.

The films director, Dang Nhat Minh, said that the warm welcome from audiences has made him extremely happy, as the movie dealt with a sensitive topic for American audiences.

Many universities held book readings for students before they went to see the movie, he said.

He recalled some amazing scenes in Japan where the audiences burst into tears after watching the film.

“Don’t burn” will continue being shown at many other universities, including Harvard, until November 20.

On November 14, the movie will be put on general release at the Cantor Film Centre in New York , where Director Minh and the American actors and actresses in the movie will hold a talk with the audience./.